| 1. |
NAME |
|
The name of the
organisation is Aberdeen LETS (Local Exchange Trading System), referred to as
"Aberdeen LETS" in this Constitution. |
| 2. |
AIMS
& OBJECTIVES |
| 2.1 |
To develop and
encourage the experience of community in Aberdeen through the establishment of a local
exchange trading system. |
| 2.2 |
To stimulate the
creation of social, economic and educational benefits by and for its members and the
people of the locality of Aberdeen. |
| 3. |
MEMBERSHIP
|
| 3.1 |
Membership of Aberdeen
LETS shall be open without prejudice to any individual or organisation sympathetic to the
aims of Aberdeen LETS, subject to restrictions that may be applied by the Management Group
in exceptional cases, such as abuse of Aberdeen LETS. |
| 3.2 |
Membership shall be
dependent on: (a) the payment of membership fees, renewable annually or otherwise at the
discretion of the Management Group; (b) the applicant's endorsement of Aberdeen LETS
Members' Agreement and Constitution. |
| 3.3 |
Aberdeen LETS is
apolitical and will not affiliate to any party political organisation. top of page |
| 4 |
LEGAL
STATUS |
| 4.1 |
Aberdeen LETS is an
unincorporated members' club of people willing to trade amongst themselves. |
| 5 |
ORGANISATIONAL
BASIS |
| 5.1 |
The rights and
authority of Aberdeen LETS are vested in all members, who delegate that authority to a
Management Group to act on their behalf. (a) The Management Group is responsible for
ensuring that the tasks of running Aberdeen LETS are effectively carried out. (b)
The Management Group includes all those who have taken on the tasks of running Aberdeen
LETS, and especially the Co-ordinator, Accountant, Treasurer, Directory Producer,
Membership Secretary and Fund-Raiser. (c) Only members of Aberdeen LETS can join the
Management Group. |
| 5.2 |
An Advisory Group may,
if required, be initiated by the members, or otherwise by the Management Group, its
functions being: (a) to oversee and advise the Management Group on the organisation and
development of Aberdeen LETS as a whole; (b) to feed back information and advice on the
management, organisation and direction of Aberdeen LETS between the members and the
Management Group; (c) to act as a member liaison and support group, presenting the
proposals, opinions, advice and complaints of any members who may be unable to speak
directly to the Management Group. (d) It would be composed of System members who are not
presently carrying out the regular tasks of running Aberdeen LETS. (e) It may also include
advisers who are not members of Aberdeen LETS. (f) Where applicable, at least one Advisory
Group member would normally attend regular Management Group meetings. |
| 5.3 |
An Arbitration Group
may, if required, be set up with the following functions: (a) to ensure the accountability
of the Management Group to the membership; (b) to adjudicate in any cases of dispute
between members, or between members and the Management Group. The Group would consist of
two people, who may also be members of the Advisory Group. They would meet from time to
time as necessary. Management Group meetings would also, where applicable, normally be
attended by one Arbitrator. |
| 5.4 |
The first committee of
Aberdeen LETS shall consist of the initiating group members. They will arrange and
publicise to all members a first AGM within 12 months of their first meeting. top of page |
| 6 |
DECISION-MAKING
PROCESSES |
| 6.1 |
Membership entitles
each holder to one vote at General Meetings. |
| 6.2 |
The members at the AGM
shall appoint a Management Group, and if required, an Advisory Group and Arbitration
Group. |
| 6.3 |
Nominations for
membership of the Management, Advisory and Arbitration Groups are invited not later than
seven days prior to the AGM. Any member in good standing is eligible for election at the
AGM. |
| 6.4 |
A straight majority by
a show of hands of those present shall be the means of decision-making. In the event of a
tie the Chairperson has the casting vote. |
| 7 |
FUNCTIONS
OF THE ABERDEEN LETS MANAGEMENT GROUP |
| 7.1 |
The Management Group
undertakes the executive management of Aberdeen LETS, apportioning such roles and
functions as necessary to maintain Aberdeen LETS in the interests of the membership as a
whole, including: (a) maintaining an up-to-date list of all members; (b) recording
accurately members' transactions and supplying accounts; (c) publishing directories; (d)
communicating with the membership and taking note of their opinions; (e) maintaining the
financial viability of Aberdeen LETS. |
| 8 |
MANAGEMENT
GROUP MEETINGS |
| 8.1 |
The Management Group
shall arrange and determine the timing and frequency of its meetings and shall meet a
minimum of three times per year. |
| 8.2 |
The Group shall
normally publicise its meetings in advance to all members, through the regular System
mailing or newsletter. |
| 8.3 |
The Group shall keep a
record of all its meetings, and make these available to all members. |
| 8.4 |
Group meetings are
open for any member to attend and make a contribution. However, only members of the
Management, Advisory or Arbitration Groups are allowed to vote |
| 8.5 |
The quorum shall be a
minimum of three members of the Group. |
| 8.6 |
Any Group member who
is absent from three consecutive meetings without good reason or notice shall be deemed to
have resigned their position, and shall be notified to that effect |
| 8.7 |
The Group may co-opt
new members onto the Group, given the consent by majority vote of the Group. Members so
appointed hold office only until the following AGM, but are eligible for re-election at
the meeting. Members may also be appointed for a shorter trial period. |
| 8.8 |
Any Group member may
be dismissed by a three-quarters majority vote of the entire Group, for reasons of
exceptional mismanagement or gross misconduct |
| 8.9 |
At least one member of
the Advisory Group and one Arbitrator, if applicable, shall also normally be present and
empowered to vote at Group meetings. top of page |
| 9 |
GENERAL
MEETINGS |
| 9.1 |
The Management Group
shall organise an Annual General Meeting once in every calendar year. |
| 9.2 |
The Group shall
arrange General Meetings (including Extraordinary General Meetings) at either the request
of their own group meeting, or the written request of at least three members of Aberdeen
LETS. |
| 9.3 |
Fourteen days notice
of each General Meeting, or seven days notice of an Extraordinary General Meeting, shall
be given to members. |
| 9.4 |
Membership entitles
each holder to vote at any General Meeting. |
| 9.5 |
Standing orders on
procedures at meetings may be proposed, seconded and voted on at General Meetings. Such a
standing order will come into effect if two thirds of those present approve. |
| 10 |
FINANCE
|
| 10.1 |
Any monies received
shall be paid into the Aberdeen LETS account of the UNIVERSITY BRANCH of the BANK OF
SCOTLAND, 91 High Street, Aberdeen (or at such other bank as the Management Group shall
decide from time to time). |
| 10.2 |
Any monies received or
paid out in the name of Aberdeen LETS shall be paid into or from the Aberdeen LETS bank
account. The Management Group shall decide from time to time which signatories can be
accepted for financial transactions with the bank. |
| 10.3 |
No member shall derive
any Sterling financial benefit from Aberdeen LETS, other than the payment of reasonable
expenses. |
| 10.4 |
Members can be paid
reasonable wages in LETS currency for administrative work carried out in agreement with
the Management Group. |
| 10.5 |
Any Management Group
member who carries out an agreed activity on behalf of Aberdeen LETS will not be held
personally liable for reasonable debts, and will be entitled to be indemnified from
Aberdeen LETS funds provided that no payment shall be made, or obligations entered into,
which cannot be met from the balances of funds held by Aberdeen LETS. |
| 10.6 |
A copy of the most
recent annual statements of accounts (in both Sterling and LETS accounts) shall be made
available to any member on request, and shall be presented at each AGM. |
| 10.7 |
Aberdeen LETS is a
not-for-profit organisation. Any surplus funds over and above the running and development
costs of Aberdeen LETS will be directed to local organisations deemed to be worthy of
support. This mechanism will be known as the Aberdeen LETS Community Fund. |
| 10.8 |
Decision-making on the
uses of the Aberdeen LETS Community Fund will be subject to consultation with the members
at a meeting, publicised to all members in advance. Members may vote in person or by
proxy. Decision-making will be by majority vote, and will include the votes of all the
members of the Management, and when applicable, Advisory and Arbitration Groups. top of page |
| 11 |
CHANGES
TO THE CONSTITUTION |
| 11.1 |
Any changes to this
Constitution can only be made by a two-thirds majority vote at a General Meeting. At least
three members of the Management Group and five other members shall attend. Notices giving
full details of the proposed changes shall be posted to all members at least fourteen days
before the meeting. |
| 12 |
WINDING
UP |
| 12.1 |
Aberdeen LETS can only
be wound up after a democratic consultation process with all the members. A questionnaire
will firstly be circulated to all members inviting feedback, and nominations for the
various management roles. At least one month thereafter, a notice of an Extraordinary
General Meeting will be sent to all members at least three weeks before it is held. The
notice will invite all members to attend to discuss ways of enabling Aberdeen LETS to
continue, and encourage members to come forward as candidates for the various management
roles. |
| 12.2 |
Following the
Extraordinary General Meeting, voting papers will be sent to all members to decide the
future of the System. Aberdeen LETS can only be wound up by a two-thirds majority of the
returned votes from the membership ballot, the results of which shall be available at a
further General Meeting. At least two thirds or three members of the Management Group
(whichever is the larger) and five other members shall attend. A notice giving full
details will have been posted to all members at least fourteen days before the meeting. |
| 12.3 |
If Aberdeen LETS is to
be wound up, those members with accounts in debit to a significant extent (the amount to
be decided by a straight majority by a show of hands of those present at the meeting) will
be given a reasonable period of time in which to repay the bulk of their debit to the
membership. Members whose balances are significantly in credit will be identified and
efforts made to assist them in balancing their accounts. |
| 12.4 |
After settling all
debts and obligations, any remaining property shall be transferred to an organisation with
an ethical track record, to be decided at the final General Meeting. top of page |
